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HB 206

Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990; repeal Article 2 of Chapter 1

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Bell and 5 co-sponsors

House Bill 206 repeals the Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act, allowing Georgia students with drug convictions to access financial aid like HOPE scholarships.

House Second Readers
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Bill Summary · HB 206

Summary of House Bill 206: Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990 Repeal

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 206 aims to repeal the Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990, which currently disqualifies students with certain drug convictions from receiving financial aid, including loans, scholarships, and grants. The bill seeks to ensure that students are not deemed ineligible for HOPE scholarships or grants solely based on convictions related to marijuana or controlled substances.

Key Provisions

  • Repeal of Existing Law: The bill proposes the complete repeal of Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, which encompasses the Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990.
  • Eligibility for Financial Aid: It specifically states that students will not be disqualified from receiving HOPE scholarships or grants based on certain drug-related convictions.
  • Amendments to Code Sections: The bill includes amendments to various code sections to remove provisions that currently impose ineligibility due to drug convictions.

Impact

  • Affected Individuals: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be students in Georgia who have been convicted of drug offenses, particularly those involving marijuana or controlled substances.
  • Financial Aid Accessibility: By removing the disqualification, the bill aims to increase access to financial aid for potentially impacted students, although the exact number of students who would benefit is unclear.
  • Institutional Policies: The University System of Georgia (USG) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) have indicated that their existing policies regarding drug use on campus would remain unchanged, regardless of the bill's passage.

Fiscal Considerations

  • The fiscal note suggests that the number of students who would be positively impacted by this bill is likely to be small. For instance, USG reported minimal instances of students being denied HOPE funding due to drug convictions, with only two cases noted over 25 years.
  • The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that in 2023, a small percentage of juveniles were arrested for drug-related offenses, indicating that the potential pool of affected students is limited.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: January 30, 2025
  • House First Readers: February 3, 2025
  • House Second Readers: February 4, 2025

Conclusion

House Bill 206 represents a significant shift in the approach to drug-related convictions and financial aid eligibility in Georgia's postsecondary education system. By repealing the Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990, the bill aims to foster a more inclusive educational environment for students with past drug convictions, thereby enhancing their opportunities for higher education funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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